3 Questions To Ask When Choosing An Orthodontist

Article by Dr. Leaver & Dr. Gardner

At Leaver & Gardner Orthodontics, the road to your perfect smile begins with knowing exactly what to expect from the orthodontic process. We want you to feel respected, informed, and empowered from beginning to end! Choosing to improve your oral health with orthodontic treatment is a big decision, after all, and you shouldn’t trust something as important as your smile to anything less than an experienced orthodontist. But what if you’re not sure how to go about finding one? We’re here to help!

To start your orthodontic journey off on the right foot, our expert team has put together this list of important questions to ask any orthodontists you’re considering, so that you can make an informed decision about your care. Let’s take a closer look at what you should know before committing to–and investing in–a particular practice!

IS THE DOCTOR A TRAINED ORTHODONTIC SPECIALIST?

It may seem obvious, but in reality, this is the most important question you can ask when considering braces treatment or clear aligner therapy. That’s because some general dentists are also able to provide orthodontic treatment, even though they don’t specialize in it.

A general dentist will typically offer common dental services such as crowns, fillings, dentures, and occasional orthodontic treatment like Invisalign. An orthodontist, on the other hand, spends their days providing only orthodontic services.

This distinction matters a great deal. Imagine for a moment that you or your child required specialized treatment or surgery. Would you feel comfortable with your family physician handling your case, or would you prefer a dedicated specialist?

Orthodontists are essentially dentists who also have several years of additional specialized training and experience. This means an orthodontist has:

To give you an idea of how competitive orthodontic residency programs are, they only accept the top students in any dental school graduating class! These orthodontic programs last around 2-3 years, and include full-time training that focuses on correcting orthodontic issues with braces and aligners. While there are exceptions to every rule, most dentists won’t possess this same level of exhaustive orthodontic training and experience.

Drs. Leaver & Gardner have many years of education and experience between them. Together, they’ve been providing the highest quality orthodontic care to patients in the Las Vegas area. As highly trained orthodontists, our doctors only focus is orthodontic care and treatment. They perform teeth straightening procedures daily, and our entire team keeps up to date by pursuing continuing education courses in orthodontics through meetings, seminars, conferences, and lectures. We have everything you need for a positive and stress-free orthodontic experience!

WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS DOES THE ORTHODONTIST OFFER?

Leaver & Gardner Orthodontics is proud to offer the following treatment options to patients of all ages.

Metal braces

Traditional metal braces are still the most widely used orthodontic appliance, and have come a long way in recent years! They are typically made of a mix of high-grade stainless steel, nickel, and other durable metals. Bands wrap around the back molars, and smaller metal brackets are cemented to the front surfaces of the other teeth. There is also a thin, springy metal wire that runs through the brackets, which may be fixed to the brackets by flexible elastics, metal ties, or another type of clasp. All of these components come together to gently guide your teeth into the desired positions over time.

Clear braces

Sometimes called ceramic braces, these function in the same way metal braces do, but are made of clear materials instead of stainless steel. Because they are less visible than traditional braces, they’re popular with older teens and adult patients who may be more image-conscious. They are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts, so we tend to use them on the upper front teeth more often than the lower teeth.

Invisalign

The Invisalign system is made up of a series of customized aligners that are nearly invisible and completely removable. Unlike traditional braces, no brackets and wires are needed to move the teeth! This offers patients a measure of freedom and flexibility that traditional braces just can’t beat. Designed to fit snugly but comfortably over your own teeth, Invisalign provides a more subtle and comfortable orthodontic experience. When worn the recommended 20-22 hours per day, and changed out weekly with the next in the set, these aligners will gradually move your teeth into the desired positions.

Invisalign Teen

Although Invisalign and Invisalign Teen work the same way when it comes to the underlying technology, Invisalign Teen was developed with the unique needs of teen patients in mind. There are a few special features that are specific to the Invisalign Teen system, including the following:

Compliance indicators

To help teens stick to their treatment plan, Invisalign Teen has a compliance indicator incorporated into each aligner. This will fade from blue to clear as it is used, providing a visual approximation of wear. This lets patients, parents, and orthodontists keep track of patient use. If a teen is skipping out on hours, it will be noticeable in enough time for us to correct compliance, thus keeping the overall process moving along at the right pace.

Eruption tabs

This feature accommodates the growth of the second molars in young adults, helping to keep space open for unerupted teeth and making it possible to treat a wider range of conditions with Invisalign.

Replacement aligners

We all lose or damage things from time to time. While we encourage all of our Invisalign patients to be careful with their aligners, teens don’t need to worry about misplacing or losing one. Invisalign Teen anticipates it happening, and provides up to six replacement aligners at no charge, just in case!

HOW FREQUENT ARE FOLLOW-UP VISITS WITH THE ORTHODONTIST?

Whatever treatment option you choose with our doctors, you can expect relatively frequent visits to the office location most convenient for you. For most patients, adjustment appointments will be scheduled for every 4-8 weeks or so. During these visits, Dr. Leaver or Dr. Gardner will replace any worn-out rubber bands, check the progress your teeth are making, and make adjustments to the wires to ensure that the teeth are moving in the right direction.

Invisalign patients may be seen slightly less frequently, but these appointments are still an essential part of the orthodontic process, so try not to miss them!

While treatment time will always vary from case to case, the average patient will spend anywhere from 12-36 months years in treatment. You’ll be seeing us pretty often throughout your orthodontic journey! Since we know how busy today’s families are, we do our best to never overbook patients and always aim to see you at your scheduled time.

PUT YOUR SMILE IN THE BEST HANDS WITH LEAVER & GARDNER ORTHODONTICS

If you’re looking for the best in high-quality orthodontic care, our doctors have the education, skills, and expertise necessary to give you a gorgeous smile with long-lasting results. If you’re ready to take the first step in your orthodontic journey, we would love to meet you and talk more about how we can help you achieve the smile you desire. This is the perfect time to take the first step towards improved oral health, so get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with us!